Converging Crises and the Cost of Exclusion: Unveiling the Invisible Women of Sri Lanka's Economy

In Sri Lanka, womens labor force participation has never exceeded 35% in over three decades. As of 2022, the country was ranked 110 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forums Gender Gap Index. The gaps in womens participation in the formal economy alongside womens limited political empowerment are two leading causes for the country to be lagging in such global gender equality indicators. At a large cost to the economy, the existence of archaic gender norms that promulgate womens unpaid care work often exclude women from the formal labor force. This paper dissects the socio-economic and socio-political factors that lead to the invisibility of women in Sri Lankas economy, while seeking to understand how such underlying causes have been aggravated within the precarity of the post-pandemic context. It is important, now more than ever, to recognize the invisibility of women in Sri Lankas formal economy, while bringing about a transformative vision with a multi-pronged approach to address existing gaps and challenges. With reference to key principles of feminist economics, including the theoretical foundations of Claudia Goldin, Nancy Folbre, and Diane Elson, among others, the paper will make a case for inclusivity and intersectionality in policy recommendations aimed at encouraging womens entry, active engagement, contribution, and retention in Sri Lankas economy. The paper reaches a conclusion that when women lead, participate, and benefit equally in all aspects of life, societies and economies will thrive, thereby contributing to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.

We Are Living It

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified certain populations as being particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, including racial and ethnic minority populations, people living in rural or frontier areas, people experiencing homelessness, essential and frontline workers, people with disabilities, people with substance use disorders, people in incarcerated populations, and individuals born outside of the United States (CDC 2020). Because the pandemic is affecting people and communities disproportionately, we knew students needed to explore the social and historical dimensions of the pandemic that resulted from systemic inequalities. Throughout the unit, they work toward a better understanding of the following ideas: * How the COVID-19 virus is transmitted between individuals and within communities * How mitigation strategies lower the chance of transmitting the COVID-19 virus between individuals and across communities * An understanding that there are differences in how diseases spread across different communities that cannot be explained without taking social, historical, and economic factors into account and that understanding the larger social context, policies, and practices can help us understand disproportionate impacts within and between communities * How others are affected during a public health crisis and how empathizing with them can help us better protect ourselves and the people in our communities Our commitment to providing the information that young people need to understand COVID-19 and other pandemics led to an interesting discovery about the NGSS. Attempt to make sense of the phenomenon or problem Students share the patterns they observed from the data and create initial models to explain how and why communities were affected by COVID-19 differently (see Figure 1). [...]social awareness is defined as the ability to (1) take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures;(2) understand social and ethical norms for behavior;and (3) recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

GIS-Based Analysis of the Spatial Distribution and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in Hebei Province, China

Traditional villages are a valuable cultural asset that occupy an important position in Chinese traditional culture. This study focuses on 206 traditional villages in Hebei Province and aims to explore their spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors using ArcGIS spatial analysis. The analysis shows that traditional villages in Hebei Province were distributed in clusters during different historical periods, and eventually formed three core clusters in Shijiazhuang, Zhangjiakou and Xingtai-Handan after different historical periods. Moreover, the overall distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province is very uneven, with clear regional differences, and most of them are concentrated in the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains. To identify the factors influencing traditional villages, natural environmental factors, socio-economic factors, and historical and cultural factors are considered. The study finds that socio-economic and natural environmental factors alternate in the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province. The influence of the interaction of these factors increases significantly, and socio-economic factors have a stronger influence on the spatial distribution. Specifically, the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Hebei Province is influenced by natural environmental factors, while socio-economic factors act as drivers of spatial distribution. Historical and cultural factors act as catalysts of spatial distribution, and policy directions are external forces of spatial distribution. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of traditional villages in Hebei Province, which can be used to develop effective strategies for rural revitalisation in China.

Consumer attitudes and sociodemographic profiles in purchasing organic food products: evidence from a Greek and Swedish survey

PurposeThis study explores Greek and Swedish consumers' attitude towards organic food consumption in order to demonstrate possible differences that can be identified based on health and ecological consciousness beliefs rather than demographic factors. The examination of an emerging and a more mature market allow the authors to provide more targeted marketing strategies that possibly increase organic food consumption in both countries.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt an econometric approach to the analysis of consumer behavior in relation to organic food consumption in Sweden and Greece. More specifically, the authors examine the motivations and postexperiences of organic food consumers of different socioeconomic profiles in these two countries, one in northern and one in southern Europe. The authors apply an ordered logistic regression analysis model to map out the interaction between consumer attitudes and sociodemographic variables.FindingsThe authors results show that consumers in Sweden more frequently purchase organic foods than consumers in Greece. Environmental protection and ethical values increase the odds for Swedish organic food consumers to buy organic food products. Health consciousness and family well-being are perceived as factors that increase the odds for Greek organic food consumers to buy organic foods. Sociodemographic factors do not play a pivotal role for consumer behavior in relation to organic food in both countries.Originality/valueThis study distinguishes between organic food consumers in two countries with different levels of organic food production and export activity, size of organic market, national organic labeling system and legal definition and standards of organic food. Within these differences, the organic food industry could align its marketing efforts better rather focus on simplistic demographics. The current view unfolds the fact that there are limited studies comparing two European markets at different stages of development and the factors that influence organic food consumer behavior.

Do socioeconomic inequalities increase the spread of COVID-19 in Turkey?

This paper clarifies the medical and socio-economic factors affecting the prevalence of COVID-19 by using clinical and survey data in a binary probit model. Socio-economic factors are associated with risk of infection and can increase exposure to and mortality from COVID-19. Inequalities in socio-economic variables affect the prevalence to different degrees. Disparities in education and poverty are more important than being employed or being a smoker for the spread of COVID-19, we find evidence that confirms the hypothesis.

The role of digital transformation in the socio-economic recovery post COVID-19

Several measures have been taken to reduce the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. One of these measures is the broad digital transformation that has rapidly and unexpectedly forced the deployment of digital technologies into corporations' business models and organizational structures. This digital transformation has affected all the socio-economic aspects. In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, this paper explores the impact of the implementation of digital transformation on the socio-economic recovery by employing cross-sectional regression analysis on 99 countries in year 2020. The paper analyzes the impact of digital transformation on each of economic growth, health care, and income inequality. The results reveal that the digital transformation has a positive and significant impact on the GDP per capita in which a 1% increase in digital transformation results in 1.52% increase in GDP per capita, a positive and significant impact on income equality in which a 1% increase in digital transformation leads to 0.05% increase in income equality, and a negative and significant impact on infant mortality rate, in which a 1% increase in digital transformation results in 0.85% decrease in infant mortality rate which reflects its positive impact on the health care. Hence, the digital transformation has a positive and significant effects on different socio-economic aspects.

Board gender diversity, firm performance and corporate financial distress risk: international evidence from tourism industry

PurposeThis paper examines contextual factors that affect the association between board gender diversity and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a global sample of listed firms in the tourism industry in 30 countries from 2015 to 2020.FindingsFirst, firm performance is positively associated with the proportion of female directors on a board. Second, the positive association between firm performance and the proportion of female directors on the board is higher in (1) countries with stronger shareholder rights, (2) countries with stronger securities law regulation stipulating disclosure of board diversity, (3) countries with stronger economic empowerment of women, and (4) during the COVID-19 crisis. Third, corporate financial distress risk is lower in firms with higher proportion of female directors on the board. Fourth, the negative association between corporate financial distress risk and the proportion of female directors on the board is more pronounced in (1) countries with stronger securities law regulations stipulating disclosure of board gender diversity, (2) countries with stronger economic empowerment of women, and (3) during the COVID-19 crisis.Originality/valueThe results indicate that contextual factors (comprising country-level corporate governance structures, economic empowerment of women and economic crisis) can affect the association between board gender diversity and firm performance.

Do the macro and global economic factors drive the nonperforming loans in GCC economies?

PurposeThe current study aims to investigate the determinants of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the GCC economies during the period spanning 2000 to 2018. It also examines whether the worldwide financial crisis of 2007–2008, which brought the issue of non–performing loans to the greater attention of academics and policymakers, had a substantial impact on NPLs in this region.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 53 conventional banks from GCC countries, and the basic data for the study is obtained from various sources such as Bankscope, IMF World Economic Outlook, World Bank and Chicago Board of Options Exchange Market Volatility Index. The estimations were done by dynamic panel data regression modeling using system generalized methods of moments.FindingsThe findings reveal that both, the non-oil real GDP growth rate and inflation have favorable effects on NPLs. On the other hand, domestic credit to the private sector and the volatility index have an adverse effect on NPLs. Furthermore, the period-wise analysis shows that the relevance and significance of the determinants of NPLs vary between the precrisis and postcrisis periods. It is also reflected through the intercept dummy, which is found to be significant, indicating that the financial crisis, as a global economic factor, had a significant impact on NPLs. A number of robustness tests are applied, which indicate that the results are mostly robust and consistent in terms of the significance of the explanatory variables and the direction of their relationship with the dependent variable.Practical implicationsPolicymakers and bank authorities must strive to maintain a healthy economy and implement macroprudential policies to improve the financial stability of banks and reduce credit risk.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is likely the first study that empirically investigates the influence of the financial crisis on NPLs in the context of GCC economies. In addition, the research spans 19 years to produce more conclusive results.

THE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS OF SUSTAINABILITY OF SME IN THE V4 COUNTRIES

The aim of the paper was to define, quantify and compare the significant attributes of sustainability of SMEs in V4 countries. Within the empirical research, which analysed a sample of 1.398 respondents and took place in V4 countries, we examined the significant attributes of sustainability of SMEs that had been defined by a statement and the SMEs had taken their attitude to them. The validity of statistical hypotheses was proved by chi-square and Z-score. The outcomes of the research confirmed that SMEs quite intensely perceive the social significance of permanently sustainable business activities in this region. Not only do SMEs in V4 countries understand the concept of permanently sustainable growth in business activities, but they also intensely demonstrate their positive attitude to prefer more than the economic interests of their own companies, they feel the need to positively influence the social system and the environment as well. The importance of the impacts of business activities on the environment was confirmed by more than 80% of SMEs in V4 countries. SMEs had a positive perception of the permanent sustainability of their own companies with regard to a difficult period the research took place in (the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, tense international relationships, and high inflation). The average degree of business optimism measured by the ST5 statement was at the level of 80% in V4 countries, which may be valuated as a positive economic phenomenon. An interesting finding is the fact that the highest degree of positive perceiving the significant determinants of permanently sustainable growth in business activities was clearly shown by Hungarian SMEs, on the contrary, the lowest degree of it was shown by Czech SMEs. © Vilnius University, 2002-2023 © Brno University of Technology, 2002-2023 © University of Latvia, 2002-2023.

The Differential Effects of Oil Prices on the Development of Renewable Energy in Oil-Importing and Oil-Exporting Countries in Africa

The shift to renewable sources of energy has become a critical economic priority in African countries due to energy challenges. However, investors in the development of renewable energy face problems with decision making due to the existence of multiple criteria, such as oil prices and the associated macroeconomic performance. This study aims to analyze the differential effects of international oil prices and other macroeconomic factors on the development of renewable energy in both oil-importing and oil-exporting countries in Africa. The study uses a panel vector error correction model (P-VECM) to analyze data from five net oil exporters (Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya and Nigeria) and five net oil importers (Kenya, Ethiopia, Congo, Mozambique and South Africa). The study finds that higher oil prices positively affect the development of renewable energy in oil-importing countries by making renewable energy more economically competitive. Economic growth is also identified as a major driver of the development of renewable energy. While high-interest rates negatively affect the development of renewable energy in oil-importing countries, it has positive effects in oil-exporting countries. Exchange rates play a crucial role in the development of renewable energy in both types of countries with a negative effect in oil-exporting countries and a positive effect in oil-importing countries. The findings of this study suggest that policymakers should take a holistic approach to the development of renewable energy that considers the complex interplay of factors, such as oil prices, economic growth, interest rates, and exchange rates.

Understanding the spatial heterogeneity of COVID-19 vaccination uptake in England.

BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination has been a key strategy in effectively containing global COVID-19 pandemic that posed unprecedented social and economic challenges to many countries. However, vaccination rates vary across space and socio-economic factors, and are likely to depend on the accessibility to vaccination services, which is under-researched in literature. This study aims to empirically identify the spatially heterogeneous relationship between COVID-19 vaccination rates and socio-economic factors in England. METHODS: We investigated the percentage of over-18 fully vaccinated people at the small-area level across England up to 18 November 2021. We used multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to model the spatially heterogeneous relationship between vaccination rates and socio-economic determinants, including ethnic, age, economic, and accessibility factors. RESULTS: This study indicates that the selected MGWR model can explain 83.2% of the total variance of vaccination rates. The variables exhibiting a positive association with vaccination rates in most areas include proportion of population over 40, car ownership, average household income, and spatial accessibility to vaccination. In contrast, population under 40, less deprived population, and black or mixed ethnicity are negatively associated with the vaccination rates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the importance of improving the spatial accessibility to vaccinations in developing regions and among specific population groups in order to promote COVID-19 vaccination.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurship During and After Covid-19 Pandemic- A Study in South India

Aim: Examining the success of women's entrepreneurship, during and after Covid-19 pandemic, in South India. Methodology: The study adopts the quantitative method. Data is acquired through 'survey' as the tool. The regression and percentage analysis are used for examining the data with SPSS as software. The targets are the women entrepreneurs (SMEs) in South India. The sample size (n) is 254. Association of the variables is found through hypothesis testing. Findings: The outcome from analyses indicates both internal and external factors impact the success of women entrepreneurs in India amid Covid-19. More than external factors, during Covid-19, the motivation, need-for-achievement, self-confidence and risk-taking were found to be more impactful in a woman entrepreneur's success. Value/Originality: The paper examined and investigated the impact of Covid-19 on women entrepreneurs and found that technological implications in businesses and social networking in entrepreneurship during Covid-19, highly assisted the women entrepreneurs and supported their sales and operations which the traditional business lacked and was limited during Covid-19. Conclusion: Research concluded that internal and external factors indeed impact the small-and-medium entrepreneurs where during the Covid-19, internal factors impacted more than external factors. Though external factors like socio-cultural and economic hindrances impacted the women entrepreneurs, the willingness, risking capability and level-of-confidence to compete and survive was found to be the key drivers that kept the women entrepreneurs to sustain.

Disparities in the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Transit Ridership in Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted day-to-day lives and infrastructure across the United States, including public transit systems, which saw precipitous declines in ridership beginning in March 2020. This study aimed to explore the disparities in ridership decline across census tracts in Austin, TX and whether demographic and spatial characteristics exist that are related to these declines. Transit ridership data from the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority were used in conjunction with American Community Survey data to understand the spatial distribution of ridership changes caused by the pandemic. Using a multivariate clustering analysis as well as geographically weighted regression models, the analysis indicated that areas of the city with older populations as well as higher percentages of Black and Hispanic populations were associated with less severe declines in ridership, whereas areas with higher unemployment saw steeper declines. The percentage of Hispanic residents appeared to affect ridership most clearly in the center of Austin. These findings support and expand on previous research that found that the impacts of the pandemic on transit ridership have emphasized the disparities in transit usage and dependence across the United States and within cities.

The effects experienced by battered women in light of the Corona pandemic (COVID-19): A study applied to social workers in the Social Protection House and government hospitals in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

The Corona pandemic represents a human catastrophe that leads to changes and transformations that attacked the heart of societies and their economies, as global indicators indicate an increasing rise in cases of infection and death around the clock as a result of non-compliance with precautionary measures and measures to prevent the spread of infection in an alarming manner, which called on all governments of developed and developing countries to take measures to limit From the spread of this epidemic, as air traffic stopped, land, sea and air flights were canceled, borders were closed, trade and industry movement stopped, and states of emergency were declared to prevent citizens from being in gathering places in all its forms. A ban was imposed, and the current study seeks to identify the effects that battered women suffer in light of The Corona pandemic (COVID-19), through a set of sub-objectives and questions adopted by the study. The study is a descriptive analytical study using the comprehensive social survey method, social workers in the Social Protection House, in addition to those concerned with dealing with cases of violence in government hospitals in the Makkah region. The study on the questionnaire as a main tool in the studies The study reached a set of results, the most important of which were: the social factors associated with social distancing, the economic factors associated with closure, the psychological factors associated with home quarantine and lead to violence against women, and the results revealed the effects that battered women suffer as a result of the Corona pandemic, which are ( health, economic, social and psychological)

Multimedia Pedagogy among Literature Lecturers in Two Universities in Uganda post COVID-19

Multimedia pedagogy embodies the use of text materials, photography and other still images, audio files, video presentations and forms of animation, which are all excellent vehicles for Literature teaching. Prior to COVID-19, most lecturers in the selected universities had used multimedia to watch literature films but not to conduct entire lectures. After that pandemic, when schools reopened, the ODEL (Online Distance Education Learning) department's pleas to lecturers to continue with some online courses fell on deaf ears. This study undertook ethnographic research to establish the reasons for the apparent reluctance by both lecturers and students to interface using multimedia during creative writing classes. The observations and interview findings revealed that subject specifications and psychological factors influenced the lecturer and student more than the economic factors against the use of multimedia during lectures. The study recommended retooling teacher trainers in multimedia pedagogy because a person cannot effectively conduct online lectures unless taught how to. The study concluded that human beings are social beings drawn to learning using methods that involve close interaction between the teacher and the taught, and the elaborateness of literature with its genres consists of the teaching of intangible interactions between words and listener, demand for physical interface between teacher and teacher trainee to chisel and polish the genre specifications.

Psychosocial Implications, Students Integration/Attrition, and Online Teaching and Learning in South Africa's Higher Education Institutions in the Context of COVID-19

This article explores the psychosocial impact of online teaching and learning on students, following the decision by South African universities to move teaching and learning from physical contact platforms to cyberspace interactions. South Africa's intervention, like many other countries, adopted the necessary measures that would prevent the spread of the virus among its population, particularly educational institutions. One such measure was the decision to shut down institutions in South Africa and the contingent measure to operationalise teaching and learning using cyberspace. The unprecedented move to online teaching engendered levels of anxiety and fear, and presented a highly disruptive and traumatic experience for many students, especially those from impoverished and rural backgrounds. While focusing on student psychosocial vulnerabilities during this pandemic, the article also presents background factors such as social and economic factors that constrain student success in South Africa's higher education institutions (HEIs), and which became exacerbated during the pandemic. It further explores the behavioural significance of online teaching and learning's impact on the physical and psychological energy that students devote to their academic work. The study is underpinned by psychosocial and student-integration theories, and it weaves the argument articulated by leaning heavily on the secondary data. Lastly, by way of recommendation, the study highlights the unique challenges that the COVID-19 disaster posed for South African students in HEIs and emphasises the need to give symbolic attention to these unique challenges. The study, therefore, is proposing improvement in preparedness and the mitigation of societal disruption in South African society and higher education during future pandemics.

The Impact and Implications of COVID-19: An Australian Perspective

This article describes and discusses the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Australia, its impact on people and the economy and policy responses to these impacts. It discusses the implications of these responses for post-pandemic recovery, though noting that the country's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has, thus far, been among the most successful in the world. Australia's early physical distancing measures, relatively high per capita testing rates, political stability, national wealth and geographic isolation are among the explanatory factors. This article summarises Australia's socio-economic responses to the pandemic and shows what this means, especially, for vulnerable groups, and thereby for social inequality, which the pandemic has aggravated and which may become more apparent, still, as debates about paths to economic and social recovery are in some respects already polarising. Although it is relatively early to clearly identify lessons learnt from these responses, it is safe to conclude that further policy development needs to be carefully focused to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.

Following the Science? Examining the Issuance of Stay-At-Home Orders Related to COVID-19 by U.S. Governors

Informed by the public health policymaking literature, this study's objective is to identify scientific, political, social, economic, and external factors related to U.S. governors' decisions to issue stay-at-home orders (SAHOs) in response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts advocate for social distancing to slow the spread of infectious diseases, but government mandates to social distance can impose substantial social and economic costs. This study uses event history analysis to investigate the issuance of COVID-19-related gubernatorial SAHOs during a 41-day period in the 50 U.S. states. The findings indicate that scientific, political, and economic factors were associated with the issuance of SAHOs, but that external considerations played the largest role, particularly those related to the timing of other governors' decisions. This study offers evidence about how some U.S. political leaders balance public health concerns against other considerations and, more broadly, how state governments address crisis-level issues.

An analysis of the protecting access to post-COVID-19 telehealth act and its efficacy in health care access amid the COVID-19 pandemic

The purpose of this study is to examine the barriers and the socio-economic determinants of telehealth services utilization during COVID-19 pandemic. This study measured the association between behavioral health services, medical services, and socio-economic factors such as gender, race, age, income level, education level, and health insurance coverage to determine if there is any relationship between these social economic factors and telehealth access during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive-correlational analysis of secondary data from the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) enabled the researcher to determine associations between social economic factors and healthcare access to answer the research questions and create a baseline to enable follow-up analyses. The independent variables were the socio-economic factors of gender, race, age, income level, education level, and health insurance coverage. The dependent variables were access to health care and telehealth services. Health care was divided into medical and behavioral health services. Levesque's conceptual framework of access to health care is used to synthesize characterizing access to health care and to describe the correlational relationship between the use of telehealth and social economic factors. The results of this study suggests that barriers to medical care were low, with as many as 87% of Louisiana residents having uninterrupted access to services and nearly 27% of residents utilizing telehealth services. The results of this study showed that the social economic factors of gender, race, age, income level, education level, and health insurance coverage were associated with access to health care services and use of telehealth. The regression analyses showed that collectively these social economic factors were significantly associated with health care access and telehealth use in Louisiana during the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

How political orientation, economic precarity, and participant demographics impact compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures in a Dutch representative sample

We examine the relationship between individuals' political orientations and their compliance with and attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention measures using a Dutch nationally representative online sample. Due to ideological differences, we predict that people with left-wing and progressive orientations will comply more with and have more favourable attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention measures than people with right-wing, populist, and conservative orientations, while right-wing extremists will have lowest levels of compliance and least favourable attitudes towards prevention measures. Our results support these predictions. Furthermore, we test the effect of individuals' economic precarity and demographic characteristics on compliance and attitudes towards prevention measures. Results show that people experiencing economic difficulties do comply yet have less favourable attitudes towards the measures, while fear of economic loss is related to both lower compliance and less favourable attitudes towards measures. Older citizens have higher levels of compliance and more positive attitudes, whereas gender and education are not consistently related to compliance and attitudes. We further explore how these three sets of factors (political orientation, economic precarity, and demographics) are related to policy preferences for either reducing infection rates or reducing the economic impact of the pandemic. Our results suggest that all three sets of predictors are important in shaping measure compliance as well as attitudes and policy support and should all be considered for a comprehensive understanding of individuals' responses to COVID-19 measures.